Building Regulations - Part L (England & Wales)

Introduction

In April 2006 the Government implemented a new Approved Document L of the Building Regulations, England and Wales. Part L is the section of the Building Regulations that deals with conservation of fuel and power from new and existing buildings, both domestic and non domestic (i.e. commercial).

The regulations, last updated in 2002, have been updated as a result of the Government's legal obligation to implement the European Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD)(see: Energy – the issues > Kyoto/EPBD) – which requires all new and existing buildings to be given an energy rating and for new buildings to meet a minimum level of energy efficiency – and the 2003 Energy White Paper, which called for an urgent review of Part L in order to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in order to reduce carbon emissions and their subsequent effects on climate change (see: Energy – the issues > Climate Change).

The new regulations are intended to reduce energy use from new buildings by at least 20%. In addition, it is intended that Part L will be updated again in 2010, where a further 25% reduction in energy use will be required.

Part L Structure

Part L is sub divided into 4 sections:

Part L1A – Conservation of Fuel and Power in New Dwellings

Part L1B – Conservation of Fuel and Power in Existing Dwellings

Part L2A – Conservation of Fuel and Power in New Buildings other than Dwellings

Part L2B – Conservation of Fuel and Power in Existing Buildings other than Dwellings

Supporting each of the Part L documents are a series of second tier Compliance Guides, which provide further detailed information on the means of complying with the requirements for space and hot water heating systems.

Part L1A - New Dwellings